BONTOC, Mountain Province – “Excellence defines good governance and behind excellence is shared or collaborative governance.”
This was part of the State of the Province Address of Gov. Bonifacio C. Lacwasan, Jr. as he stressed on the strengthening of partnership between the provincial government and other government and non-government sectors or agencies.
Among the highlights of the annual report are the regional and national recognitions that the province received last year.
“Highlighting and summarizing the accomplishments of the provincial government are four national awards which did not only showcase the capability of the provincial government to meet national standards, but also have proven that we can be at par with our counterparts and even excel in our performance as a local government unit despite our limited resources,” Lacwasan said.
In August 2019, the provincial government was awarded the 2019 National Kabalikat Award for its commitment in the promotion of technical-vocational education and training, its significant contributions to the development of the Cordillera’s skilled manpower and for continuously upholding the standards of skills excellence and appropriate work ethics.
On Oct. 23, 2019, the Provincial Accounting Office was awarded as one of the Outstanding Provincial Accounting Offices nationwide by the Association of Government Accountants of the Philippines. The provincial government’s Accounting Office was the lone awardee from the Cordillera and was also one of the only three awardees nationwide.
The Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (PDRRMC) and the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council were also the only awardees from the region in their respective categories.
In the national awards level, the PDRRMC is one of the only two PDRRMC national finalists, landing second place.
The Provincial Anti-drug Abuse Council is among the few provincial awardees that got ideal performance award for being 100 percent compliant to said award’s criteria by the National Anti-Drug Abuse Council.
Lacwasan said the awards summarize his administration’s accomplishment as a whole as the criteria set by the award bodies are part and parcel of the core and essential assessment areas of the Seal of Good Local Governance by the DILG, particularly on financial administration, disaster preparedness, social protection and peace and order.
The governor also emphasized on the support of the sanggunniang panlalawigan to the implementation of his administration’s special programs under its renowned mantra, “Barangay muna.” – Erwin S. Batnag
April 21, 2024
